The Adventure Summit

I am not sure what your plans might be for February 12-13 but if you live close to Dayton, Ohio I would like to share an opportunity. It’s free and it features some outstanding speakers on various topics of outdoor life and the adventures that go with them. It is called The Adventure Summit and the event is co-sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University. All the workshops and presentations will take place at the Student Union at Wright State University.

There are several speakers that I would like to highlight on this blog but I would encourage you to check out their website (http://theadventuresummit.com/) for a complete list of presenters and schedule for the two-day event. The first speaker that I am very interested in hearing is Amy Purdy. She seems to be an amazing woman, a world class snow boarder, a Dancing with the Stars finalist, an actress, model and clothing designer. She is also a double amputee having lost both legs below the knee. Although eliminated fairly early in the series, Amy was a contestant on the Amazing Race in 2012. She has communicated some of her thoughts on a 2011 TED talk (check it out at https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_purdy_living_beyond_limits/transcript?language=enHer) and has authored a book, On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life. Her presentation will be Friday, February 12, at 7:00 in the Apollo Room.

The second speaker that proves to be a draw is Luke “Strider” Jordan. With a trail name like “Strider” you would expect this speaker to be a thru-hiker. And you would not be disappointed. He took on the North Country Trail hiking from Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to Crown Point State Park at the New York/Vermont border. It is one of our country’s longest scenic hiking trails – 4,600 miles. In comparison, the Appalachian Trail is 2,186 miles. His 191 day journey began with many weeks trekking in snowshoes. His thru-hike of the trail in 2013 might have been just the fourth complete thru-hike on record. Hear “Strider” on Saturday afternoon at 12:30.

The third speaker of interest for me is Jeff Alt. He is an Ohio resident who wrote a best selling book, A Walk for Sunshine that served as a motivation for my adventure. Having heard him two years ago at the summit, I look forward to listening to his inspiring story once again. He possesses a great sense of humor and provides insights into the trail that will make you laugh and inspire you at the same time. Jeff made his original thru-hike of the AT to raise money for Sunshine House in Cincinnati, the home where his brother with cerebral palsy lives. His hike inspired me to hike for my school and raise money for student scholarships. He shares at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. Check out his website: http://jeffalt.com

I have also been given the opportunity to tell my story at the event. I speak at 11:15 on Saturday morning. I am humbled to share my presentation, Hike It Forward, highlighting my AT thru-hike in 2014. Hope to see you ther